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 Panasonic TH-42PWD6UY
42-inch TV
As low as 
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When it comes to TVs, bigger is better. But if you want a big-screen TV, you
won't have to pay a big-time price any longer, because the march of
technology continually brings down the price. These days, there's an
alphabet-soup mix of big-screen technologies, including LCD, Plasma, DLP,
and LCOS. So how to choose among which to use, and which make and model is
best? Let me help sort it all out.
With big-screen TVs more affordable than ever, which is best for you? First,
you need to understand the differences between the different technologies,
LCD, plasma, DLP, and LCOS.
LCD (liquid crystal display) uses liquid crystals on glass panels to create
an image - one pixel per crystal. DLP (digital light processing) uses a
processor in concert with a reflective surface made up of thousands of small
mirrors; each mirror represents a pixel. LCOS (liquid crystal on silicon) is
a kind of hybrid between LCD and DLP. It uses liquid crystals, like in LCD,
but uses reflected light to create an image, as with DLP. And in plasma TVs,
current is applied tiny pockets of gas to create the image.
Keep in mind when buying that LCD and plasma TVs aren't projection TVs,
while DLPs and LCOS TVs are. That means that DLPs and LCOS take up a bit
more space, but they also offer larger screens more affordably. LCD and
plasma TVs generally offer better resolution than DLPs and LCOs, but these
days DLPs and LCOS have almost as good resolution.
If you're shopping for a plasma screen TV, perhaps the best value you'll
find is the Panasonic TH-42PWD6UY 42-inch TV
for as low as . This TV is the most popular TV of any kind for PriceGrabber customers. It
features a 42-inch screen, 852 x 480 resolution, 4000:1 contrast ratio, and
can handle HDTV. Says one PriceGrabber customer: "Outstanding contrast
ratio, great picture, good I/O options, easy to set up." Says another:
"Colors are sharp and beautiful. The TV has a great price and looks great. A
great buy."
Most plasma TVs are relatively limited in size, and the most popular are in
the 42-inch range. But you can also find excellent 50-inch plasma screens,
although they of course cost more than the 42-inchers. The Panasonic
PT-50PHD4-P
for as low as is a particularly good choice, and balances large screen size,
quality picture, and relatively reasonable price. It has a 3000:1 contrast
ratio, 1366 x 768 resolution, and features crisp pictures.
LCD TVs haven't been widely available, but there are hints they may be going
to become more common. But there's no need to wait for that; there are still
plenty of good ones here today. You can't go wrong if you go with the
best-selling LCD TV on PriceGrabber, the Sharp LC-37G4U
for as low
as . It has a 37-inch screen, and offers a HDTV-compatible resolution of
1366 x 768, a 16:9 aspect ratio, 800:1 contrast ratio, and wide viewing
angles (170 by 170 degrees). Says one PriceGrabber customer: "Beautiful,
extremely detailed menu, and unreal picture and sound."
Budget-minded shoppers can instead go for the Syntax Olevia LT30HV TV
for as low
as . The screen is smaller, at 30 inches, but like the Sharp, it has a 170
by 170 angle viewing ratio. It features 1280 x 720 resolution, has a
contrast ratio of 750:1 and comes with two removable 10 watt speakers.
Big-screen lovers will want DLP TVs, and they'll find a great deal with the
Samsung HLP6163W
for as low
as . It's a whopping 61-inch TV, with a 16:9 widescreen aspect ratio, framed
in a light, thin-bezel cabinet. It's HDTV compatible, and features just
about every connector you can dream up, including A/V (Composite), Analog
Coaxial(RF), Component Video, DVI, S-Video, Video - 15 pin High-Density
D-shell (VGA)
If you don't need that large a TV, you can save money by instead buying the
Samsung Wide Screen HDTV Monitor With DLP Technology - HLN467W
for as low
as . It comes with a 46-inch screen, and weighs less than 75 pounds, which
is a lightweight compared to many other DLP TVs. It's also HDTV compatible.
Says one PriceGrabber customer: "Outstanding picture quality - bright,
fabulous color and contrast." Says another: "Phenomenal brightness, color,
and detail."
LCOS TVs are the newest kids on the block, and there aren't as many to
choose from as DLPs. But they're getting increasingly popular, so you'll
find more and more to buy.
The JVC HD-ILA HD-61Z575
for as low
as is a good bet. It sports a 61-inch screen, 16:9 widescreen aspect ratio,
is HDTV compatible, and supports BBE High Definition Sound.
Finally, if all you care about is picture size, and are willing to spend a
massive amount of money, check out the Mitsubishi WL-82913
for as low
as . How big is big? How about 82 inches - nearly seven feet? It's the
largest mass-produced TV you can buy and is HDTV-compatible. So if bigger is
better, it's the one to buy.
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